Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-07
THE REFORM SCHOOL.
The Regular Report OF the Majority of
the Trustees.

The Trustees of the Reform School in
their report to the Governor and Council
state that the'institution is in better condi-
ton now than at any period since its founda-
ton. They express their dissatisfaction
with the "congregate" system and approve
the cottage" system, which, they think,
ought to take its place. Though the latter
costs more, it is worth more. The introduce
ton of a mechanical school is highly COM
mended. Concerning religious instruction
the Trustees say:
Religious instruction by clergymen and
aymen of The diff rent denominations is dis
pensed to the inmates every Sabbath. 1t has
been suggested that 1t would be better to have
the boys instructed in a special religious
faith of the different denominations to which
they may in some way have been connected
before coming to the school. But such has
not been the practice in this school; and we
believe that the present practice is best cal
culated to promote harmony in the school,
and is productive of the best good to all con-
cerned We deem it wrong to tempt to I'M
settle the faith of anv religious sect, or to at
tempt to promote the peculiar faith of any
sect; but respect their religious belief and
cow ictions.
We invite and welcome all prudnet teach
ers of any denomination to address the in
mates and impress on them the duty of God
illness IN relation TO the life that now is, and
of that which is to come.
The following recommendations to the
legislature are made:
The boys dining room is still subject for
criticism and should at once be thoroughly
repaired and changed as to give it a more
cheerful aspect. 1t is estimated that an out
lay of 81 900 will do this. All other needed
repair, including the painting of the buildings,
can be done within the usual appropriations
of 81 900 for general repairs
The so-called Coleman farm" containing
about twenty acres with small dwelling house
and barn, can be purchased for 81 400. This
farm joins the school property and would be
of great value TO the institution. To erect
one cottage suitable Cor the accommodation
of family school of forty boys would cost al
least $40. 1000.
Upon the basis of the foregoing statements
the trustees would recommend the following
appropriations for 1887 and 1885,
For THE YEAR 1887.
For current expenses, including mechan.
ical school, $4,000
For general repairs, 1000
To alter and repair boys dining room, 1000
For purchase of Coleman farm, 1900
To erect a cottage for family use, 10000
Total, ssl.4Oo
For THE YEAR 1888.
For current expenses, including mechan.
icai school, $4,000
General repairs. 1000
Total, &ls,Ooo
Mr.. ID. orc. O'Dopoghue does not sign this
report because he dissents from it i'll the
matter of reliuious insfruptinp He main
tains the same position which he held in the
minority report submitted by him last year.
He holds that the Catholic boys should re-
ceive their religious training entirely from q
priest of their church. He has not drawn up
formal minority report yet, but will proba-
bly, do so. 1t is also not improbable that the
matter may be brought before the legislative
committee on the Reform School and legsla-
tive Intervention asked.